TV Botanist David Bellamy pulled out of an appearance at the Zionist Federation’s annual environment seminar, days after an anti-Israel group said he should be “outraged” by the event.

Prof Bellamy was scheduled to be guest speaker at the Israel Blue White and Green events on Tuesday, but withdrew offering no explanation for his absence.

At the event, almost 1,000 sixth form pupils and university students were briefed by leading Israeli scientists.

Last week the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (Bricup) wrote to Prof Bellamy saying: “We are outraged, and think you ought to be too, at the prospect of Israel presenting itself as a champion of environmentalist virtues.”